There are few things more valuable in our lives than our home we make for our families and our personal belongings. Our home is often the most valuable commodity in our lives and its contents are not just expensive, but of great sentimental value.

We always think bad things only happen to other people, but why take the risk? In the United Kingdom one in three people get burgled once in their life. Even still a quarter of households are not covered by any home insurance.

Its not just burglers that threatens our homes and belongings, there are also other occurrences like floods, storms or fire that you should be takeing out insurance to cover.

Home Insurance

Home Insurance can be taken out by homeowners, tenants and landlords. A lot of mortgage lenders will insist you take out buildings insurance.

Most Insurance companies offer a discount for taking out both Contents and Building Insurance with the same insurer. I can also save some of the hassle. Some insurance companies are better for Contents Insurance than Building Insurance or vice versa. Shop around and get lots of quotes, examine all the options available.

Flood insurance

Recently flooding has become headline news in the UK. Due to climate changes, floods are becoming more frequent and more devastating. For this reason home insurance flood-risk cover is now more important and also increasingly expensive for those in flood-risk areas.

The Environment Agency has a flood map indicating areas that are under threat from flooding. If you live in one of these areas it is important to take measures to protect your property this will help to cut home insurance premiums and the Environment Agency has issued a ‘Preparing for Floods’ guidance document that contains advice on simple, low-cost measures to limit damage.

Some of the suggestions to help cut premiums are:

• Making sure important equipment and valuables are stored in dry areas.
• Consider temporary flood barriers.
• Consider fitting valves to prevent sewage flowing backwards.
• Use materials that are more flood-resistant on floors, walls, etc.
• Raise gas appliances and sockets above flood level.
• Install flood defences within the landscaping of housing developments.

Clearly some of these suggestions are for builders rather than homeowners, but it is worth seeing how many are in place to help you secure cheaper home insurance.

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